Terror-hit Pak offers high insurance cover to foreign businesses

Pakistan will offer foreign businessmen insurance cover of up to $500,000 to attract investment in the face of widespread concerns over terrorist attacks that have contributed to a downturn in the economy.

The Commerce Ministry has finalised an agreement with the state-run National Insurance Company for comprehensive insurance coverage of foreign investors and businesspersons.

Commerce Secretary Munir Qureshi told Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf that the step was taken as 29 countries, including the US, members of the European Union and Australia, had issued "negative travel advisories" to their citizens travelling to Pakistan.

Insurance cover was either not available to foreign businesspersons in Pakistan or they had to pay a very high premium, Mr Qureshi said.

The Commerce Ministry has made arrangements with the National Insurance Company to provide insurance cover to foreigners invited by Pakistani businessmen for business dealings, he said.

The National Insurance Company will offer foreign investors and businesspersons insurance cover ranging from $200,000 to 500,000 during their stay in Pakistan.

The government would ensure adequate security for the foreigners, he said.

"This step will remove a longstanding hurdle in the way of foreign investors who intend to visit Pakistan for business and investment, and encourage them to pour money into this country," Mr Qureshi was quoted as saying in an official statement.

Wow, Pakistanis are now getting very desperate. No new investment is coming up due to security reasons but Pakistanis have the idea of bringing investment by insuring the investors/businessmen without actually not improving the security. Ponzi scheme in the making if it takes off in the first place.